Everton have beaten Juventus 6-5 on penalties to progress to the final of the Guiness International Champions Cup.
In normal time, Kevin Mirallas's strike was cancelled out by Kwadwo Asamoah's equaliser with both sides unable to find a winning goal.
Federico Peluso's penalty was decisively saved by Tim Howard to send the Blues through to meet either Los Angeles Galaxy or Real Madrid later this week.
You can see how the action unfolded live, below.
Good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of Everton's pre-season game against Serie A champions Juventus in San Francisco.
The team news has reached us here, so without further ado...
EVERTON STARTING XI: Howard, Baines, Stones, Jagielka, Gibson, Distin, Mirallas, Pienaar Coleman, Fellaini, Anichebe
JUVENTUS STARTING XI: Storari, Lichtsteiner, Ogbonna, Peluso, Isla, Vidal, Marrone, Asamoah, De Ceglie, Tevez, Llorente
Juventus lifted the Scudetto last year and have added significantly to their ranks this summer already.
Juve have signed Angelo Ogbonna from Torino and bulked up their attacking options with powerful duo Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente from Manchester City and Athletic Bilbao respectively.
On the other hand, Everton are yet to delve significantly into the transfer market and their summer dealings have so far surrounded around keeping talented duo Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini.
There seems to be little in the way of movement from either side towards the pitch, despite the kick off time. I guess we'll just have to sit tight for a few minutes.
The Blues have racked up seven goals in their last two pre-season friendlies against Accrington Stanley and Blackburn Rovers. However, it is fair to say that this morning's opponents are a huge step-up in class.
We're hearing that there has been a delay to kick off, with the KO apparently set for 8:10pm USA time, so we're around five minutes or so from getting underway here.
Here come the players, as the Blues are led out by their captain Phil Jagielka, who of course took over the armband from Phil Neville before the utility man retired from the game.
Juventus will wear a changed strip of yellow this morning. No Gianluigi Buffon this morning, the legendary stopper does not even make the bench. However, Tevez, Llorente and Ogbonna will feature as they adjust to life with the Bianconeri.
We're currently going through the obligatory pleasantries that accompany most friendly games. The AT&T Stadium is primarily used for baseball and the pitch reveals as much. It is not in the best of shape for football. Something which may worry Martinez slightly.
We're now moments away from kick off.
WE'RE OFF! Tevez gets the game underway.
Anichebe gives away a freekick deep inside the Juve half after charging into his man.
Baines with a smart flick around his man finds Pienaar and the pair race up the field, but the move breaks down and they win a throw in.
A ricochet nearly sees the ball break to Mirallas wide right, but Ogbonna covers well and cleans up 40 yards from goal.
Typical creatiove build-up from Pienaar and Baines with the former sliding his teammate in wide left but his cross cannot find anyone.
Baines rifles in a freekick from all of 30 yards which rebounds off a couple of Juve players before it is eventually cleared on the six yard line by Ogbonna.
GOAL RULED OUT Jagielka turns home a freekick that was delivered in from Pienaar but the skipper was ruled to be offside when he knocked it home.
I was just about to say it was all-Everton as Fellaini and Gibson look to play a smart one-two on the edge of the box but Juve get it clear and Asamoah takes the ball 40-plus yards before playing it in to Llorente. A dinked ball into Tevez sees Howard gather.
Ogbonna is nearly caught out by Anichebe, showing too much of it to the striker but the Italian eventually gets it clear. Juventus are coming into the game a little more.
Everton's pressing has been impressive so far and something that is not seen much in pre-season friendlies. Each and every player has been quick to close down and harry their opponents out of possession.
Ogbonna does not look like he is relishing the challenge of the very physical approach of Victor Anichebe this morning. The Blues forward is perhaps unfortunate not to gain a freekick after holding off a challenge before being hauled down.
Again, another demonstration of what Anichebe offers, as he puts in a well-timed if unnecessary slide tackle wide right to concede a goal kick to Juventus.
Long range shot comes in from Marrone and while it is well struck it never really troubles Tim Howard in the Everton goal.
A long clip over the top finds Vidal, who dinks it over Howard but he has already been ruled offside. Correct decision.
Juventus' high-line could provide a breakthrough for Everton, if the pace of Mirallas is utilised correctly. However, the Belgian has so far struggled to get into the game.
Ogbonna has repeatedly wasted possession with aimless long punts forward. His coach Antonio Conte cannot be happy with that!
Anichebe again using his strength to hold it up for Pienaar but the South African's curler rises too high to trouble the keeper.
De Ceglie wins the first corner of the game after his cross is blocked by John Stones. Marrone should have done better with the resulting cross, with the goal at his mercy he sidefoots horribly wide.
Baines harries Storari into slicing his clearance and the goalkeeper concedes a throw in high up the pitch the Blues. Again, another example of the relentless pressing from Martinez's side.
Fellaini releases Mirallas and this time the winger gets a chance to run his marker, but his clever jink inside is eventually snuffed out by Isla.
Nice build up from Juve sees the ball come out wide right but the cross from Peluso is too close to Howard, and the American immediately turns defence into attack.
The game is temporarily paused as Vidal receives treatment after a collision with Pienaar. Something of a forward's tackle from the winger.
A great example of Anichebe's game. He wins it back for his side 30 yards from goal before winning a freekick. Baines to step up...
Correction, it was closer to 20-22 yards but Baines's strike hits the wall nonetheless. Corner to the Blues, but the resulting sequence sees the ball harmlessly drift out for a goal kick.
It's that right-side again for Juventus that yields some joy, but this time it's Isla who crosses too close to Howard. The American's every touch is being greeted with wild cheers tonight.
A probing move from Juve sees it go wide left to De Ceglie, but his cross is blocked. The corner comes in but is easily cleared.
Again, Anichebe is hauled down on the edge of the box on the left hand side. Anichebe is furious at the constant fouls he is on the receiving end of.
CHANCE! John Stones heads the freekick on to the post as the ball seems to take an age to bounce back before it is cleared.
Storari was absoloutley rooted with Stones's header, the youngster was so unlucky there!
HALF TIME: Everton 0-0 Juventus
A decent end to the first-half, with Stones coming the closest to breaking the deadlock, just before the whistle blew. Roberto Martinez will be happy with his side's work-rate so far.
Well done to those who have stayed up with us, however, many will be praying for a decisive finish to the game, as a draw would lead to a penalty shootout.
Martinez can be happy with the way his side have taken the fight to the Italian champions here. They have certainly been the better side and were a width of a post away from going in at the break a goal up.
It will be interesting to see what, if any, alterations Martinez makes at the break. Pre-season is obviously about getting the fitness levels up ahead of the new campaign, but a win over a top-tier European outfit could do wonders for squad morale.
On the other hand it is difficult to know what to make of Juventus. They finished last season nine points ahead of Napoli, but have flattered to deceive here tonight. However, one can't gauge a team's true quality in pre-season.
Here come the teams ahead of the second period.
Everton are out there first, and Martinez has not made any changes.
KICKOFF! Juventus begin the second half, despite starting the first one. I guess we can chalk that up to it being pre-season.
Just a reminder, the winner of this game will play either Real Madrid or Los Angeles Galaxy in the final of this mini tournament.
Asamoah tries to stand Darron Gibson up and have a run, but the Northern Irishman has none of his tricks and puts in a superb non-sliding tackle on the edge of the box.
Deep cross comes in from Isla but Peluso cannot get enough on it and the header goes well over the bar. Good defending from Seamus Coleman.
Everton try to play it out from the back but end up conceding a throw in. The Italians fail to make their possession count as a move breaks down.
CHANCE! A long ball bounces through to Mirallas whose direct run takes him beyond his last man but his delayed shot is saved by Storari and goes out for a corner. The Belgian delayed too much and saw his angle closed down by the keeper.
CHANCE! This time it falls to Juve with De Ceglie's shot blocked well by Coleman inside the penalty area.
I've spoken frequently about Anichebe's strengths this evening, but sometimes, the muscular striker really must offer more as a footballer. He looks to be spoiling for a physical tussle with Ogbonna more than trying to affect the game.
SAVE! Howard scurries down to his left-hand post to tip away Vidal's curling freekick. Good save from the American.
Juventus are starting to exert their dominance, but there is little in the way of encouraging chances for them. Everton are defending well.
We're at the hour mark and surprsingly, neither side have made a substitution.
A lofted ball forward is controlled on the chest by Anichebe, but the referee blows for a freekick before Pienaar can join the attack on the edge of the box.
GOAL: Everton 1-0 Juventus (Kevin Mirallas)
A smart finish from the Belgian as Gibson releases him down the right, before he jinks inside his marker and pokes a right footed effort past the keeper's near post. Good work from Anichebe in the build-up to win back the ball and give it to Gibson.
I suggested earlier on that Mirallas could provide the key, but he has done little of note up until that goal to suggest my theory might be right. Still, when the winger has space, he can tie defenders up in knots.
SUBSTITUTION: Leon Osman replaces Darron Gibson and Bryan Oviedo comes on for Leighton Baines.
Mirallas nearly takes the ball of Ogbonna's toes with the defender the last man on the half-way line. Everton have been impressive this evening.
Tevez sends a freekick out wide far too high and wide of the far post. A waste for Conte's side, who have struggled since going a goal down.
CHANCE! Now that really should be 1-1, a low cross from Isla is met at the back post but Stones slides in before the resulting chance falls to Llorente who can only hit it at Howard. A glorious chance for the equaliser goes begging.
Quite brilliant all round. Asamoah, who has been Juve's star man flicks it over Fellaini before bursting past Osman, and as he winds up the left foot, Stones slides in and takes it off his toe.
SUBSTITUTION: Paolo De Ciglie is replaced by Andrea Pirlo while Mirko Vucinic comes on for Fernando Llorente.
Oviedo strikes a right-footed effort over the bar after cutting in on his unfavoured foot.
SUBSTITUTION: Luca Marrone comes off for Simone Padon.
CHANCE! Now how has Pienaar missed? the ball sticks on the surface, which gives the South African the chance to race through, but with the goal at his mercy, he side foots wide of the goal. Poor miss.
CHANCE! Vucinic twists in the box hits a shot at goal, Howard palms it enough to take the sting out of it and stops it going over the line at the second attempt.
The game really opening up now. Mirallas againd dancing down the right and sends a powerful effort down the throat of Storari. Well played by Pienaar to release Mirallas again.
GOAL: Everton 1 - 1 Juventus (Kwadwo Asamoah).
Tevez's cut back evades Vucinic and Osman's lapse in concentration sees him lose the ball to Asamoah on the edge of the box. He sends a well-struck left-footed effort beyond Howard.
That is a shame for Everton, but if anyone in yellow has deserved that it is Asamoah. A great strike by the midfielder.
Ogbonna goes in the book after hauling down Anichebe, again. Mirallas stands over the freekick...
SUBSTITUTION: Alessandro Matri replaces Carlos Tevez.
Mirallas's freekick is saved comfortably by Storari. Six minutes left, will there be a winner, or are we heading for penalties?
Pirlo tries one of his trademark dinks over the defence but his radar is off and Howard gathers comfortably.
SUBSTITUTION: Ross Barkley comes on for Victor Anichebe. Perhaps the youngster has come on with penalties in mind.
Penalty kicks now appear inevitable unless something out of the blue happens in the final few seconds. As I type that Barkley dances inside a defender and hits a sweving low drive at Storari.
FULL TIME: Everton 1-1 Juventus
We now have a five minute rest period before the lottery of a penalty shootout begins...
So, for those that have stayed with us, we not have the bizarre eventuality of a 6am penalty shootout!
Again, just to reiterate, the winner of this match will meet either Los Angeles Galaxy or Real Madrid in the final of this tournament.
PEN MISS: Leon Osman sends it to Storari's right and the keeper tips it away. A nice height for the stopper.
PEN SCORED: Matri sends Howard the wrong way. 1-0 to Juventus in the shootout.
PEN SCORED: Barkley with a well hit penalty right into the corner. 1-1 in the shootout.
As Asamoah prepares to take his kick, a member of the crowd runs on and sends a shot straight into the keeper's hands.
PEN SCORED! Asamoah eventually scores his penalty. 2-1 to Juventus.
PEN SCORED! Mirallas hammers it home, great penalty. 2-2 in the shootout.
PEN SCORED! Vucinic drills it into the side netting, another great pen. 3-2 to Juventus.
PEN SCORED! Jagielka sends Storari the wrong way. 3-3 now.
PEN SCORED! Vidal's long run up results in a goal. 4-3 to Juventus.
PEN SCORED! Oviedo tucks it away straight down the middle. 4-4 in the shootout.
PEN MISSED! Pirlo of all people clips it wide of the goal. Still 4-4.
PEN SCORED! Stones with an absoloute beauty. Clips it delicately high into the net. Great pen.
PEN SCORED! Motta sends it high into the top corner. 5-5 now.
PEN SCORED! Coleman hits it hard and low to the keeper's left.
PEN SAVED! Howard saves it and Everton have beaten Juventus. Peluso with a poor penalty.
Well, that was well worth staying up for! A remarkable end to what was a good game of football. John Stones's penalty was stunning.
So all in all an entertaining game that really peaked in the shootout. The Blues edge it 6-5 on penalties.
Well, that's just about all from our coverage this morning. Thank you for joining me. Bye for now.
Written by
Paul Gorst
Paul Gorst
